The sky was filled with angry black clouds and Henry wasn't sure why but he was feeling more aware of what was going on than before. Edgar made for a good companion, but so too did his nieces and nephew. Speaking of the boy, Henry decided that Lissa and Lon'qu had spent enough time with Morgan and decided to see what the deal was with the poor boy. Henry grimaced as he though of the time that he was missing out on after all the boy needed a good mix of people in his life. He carefully knocked on the door. He had a feeling that Morgan would be here especially if he was anything like Chloey and loved to sit and get lost in a good book, "Coming!" Morgan responded and opened the door,
"Yeah so's Christmas," Henry grinned, "although not like a good CAWtastrophe I'm sure,"
Morgan doubled over laughing, "I suppose that wasn't your most EGGcellent pun right Uncle Henry?"
"Nya ha ha! Right in the meat of things huh?" Henry chuckled, "I suppose that there is CAWs to hope after all,"
"Well I was raised with a fine selection, but I wouldn't want to over do it,"
"Heh," Henry's grin widened, "Well don't boil 'em too long then, beCAWs they're not going to work if you do,"
Morgan was clutching his side as yet again his uncle proved why he was the master of puns...mostly. At least Morgan remembered some of them.
Meanwhile Chrom was talking with Chloey about what they were going to do about Validar. Neither had much information to go on and for the most part Chloey couldn't explain why she was so uncomfortable about the mere mention of the man. Was it the fact that for the most part the name made her think of a sinister figure? She hoped that it wasn't the case but she had little to go on to state otherwise.
When the shepherds arrived to Carrion Isle at last Chloey couldn't help but feel like she was walking on an knife edge. It was decided that little Lucina would stay with her Aunt Lissa while Henry and Tharja would come with them should anything go sour (something that seemed to make Henry even more uptight than before if that was even possible). Frederick came with them as well while Sumia joined Lissa in watching over the younger children. Morgan was of an age where he could choose what he wanted to do, so he came with his parents.
Chrom wasn't surprised to see a tome hidden in the boy's coat, nor was he surprised that Chloey was also armed. After all they were being ready for anything. Chrom gripped the familiar hilt his Falchion. They would be fine...Chrom thought to himself, desperately trying to rid himself of the mounting tension within his body. They would get the ships that they needed. They would...
"Greetings Prince Chrom, Plegia welcomes you," said a familiar sultry sounding voice that could only belong to...
"Aversa!," Chrom exclaimed in shock, he'd not expected her to be there at all and seeing her put Chrom on edge. As it was she was more than enough trouble, Chrom saw Henry's smile fade and he noticed that Tharja was reaching for her tome,
"What can I say?" Aversa smiled, "It seems that there is much I am needed for still."
"So you serve Validar then?" Chrom asked, seeing Chloey motion to the two mages to keep their hands away from their tomes. Tharja looked like she'd been made to swallow a lemon whole but she crossed her arms over her chest looking malevolently at the dark flier standing before them while Henry's trademark smile looked more like a snarl crossing his face. It was clear that he hated Aversa and the reason was hard to guess by Chrom.
"I do," Aversa purred sweetly, and Chrom saw out of the corner of his eye Chloey glaring at her venomously.
"They say he is Grimleal," Frederick said sharply summing up the collective mood of the Shepherds towards the woman,
"Of course he's Grimleal," There was a collective shudder through the shepherds present, and Aversa saw someone who didn't belong, a blue haired boy who was shadowing the vessel for their master, "We are both believers," She continued, "If fact my liege said that it was his faith that kept him going after Gangrel died. It was a difficult time naturally," She made herself play into the hands of the wary knight as best she could doubtless however she couldn't make a good impression even if she tried, "but he kept order when there would have been chaos. We had been meaning to arrange an official visit to Ylisstol but- Ah here is my lord now," Aversa said as Validar arrived. She would wait to see what he made of the strange boy with blue hair that frankly put her on edge with the way he was looking at her. It was about as equal with the vessel's glare at her although she felt more afraid of said vessel then the shadow if she was being honest.
"An honour to finally meet you sire," Chloey looked at the man that had approached them with a frown. She was trying to work out who he was and why he seemed to be familiar, "I am Validar king regnant of Plegia,"
"The honour is mine good king," Chrom began and Chloey felt a strange sinking feeling in her stomach, "It is possible that we've met somewhwere before? Gods! It's can't be!"
Chloey observed the man with care. There was no mistake. This was the bastard that she'd put six feet under in the first attempt on Emmeryn's life, she was sure of it,
"I'm quite certain that I would remember an encounter with Ylissean royalty,"
"Psst! Chloey!" Chrom whispered to his wife,
"I know," Chloey whispered back, "He looks just like the assassin that went after Emmeryn,"
"Ah you must be Lady Chloey," Validar said his face impassive as he watched his daughter,
"You know of me sire?" The facade was impressive. Whatever her expression was before was gone, her eyes had a spark not unlike Master Grima, although they were oddly blue,
"The whole world knows of Ylisse's master tactician!" Validar declared suddenly, watching as her eyes narrowed slightly, "I see the wisdom in your eyes," She seemed to be surprised by his words, but he saw the blue haired servant of Naga lean towards her and all hints of being surprised were gone.
"But you killed him Chloey," Chrom whispered again,
"I know!" Chloey hissed back, voice un-heard by the Plegians, "The resemblence...it's too close to tell,"
"My, my the negotiations haven't even started and yet there is much whispering,"
"My apologies," Chrom said face neutral, "We meant no disrespect,"
Chloey looked to Chrom, "Chrom, what should we do?" She asked whisprering again,
"Nothing for now, but keep close and be ready for anything," Chrom whispered back, Morgan heard what both his parents were talking about, but only because he was close enough to do so, Validar didn't hear the exchange, but there was work to be done,
"Well then," He said, "Let's begin,"
Aversa saw the look in Validar's eyes and spoke, "We can't offer any soldiers but can provide 800 warships and 200 transports, in addition we'd be more than happy to fully fund the campain against Valm,"
It was Frederick who spoke, "That is...surprisingly generous of you milord. We could ask for no more quite litterally," He frowned, "You offer almost all of your assets,"
Chloey saw the expression on Validar's face, "We would give you troops as well...but the army is in shambles from the last war. I hope the ships and gold is enough to show our commitment to the cause?" Chloey saw the snake was clearly expecting an answer,
"Of course it will," Chrom said calmly, "Thank you King Validar,"
Chloey had tuned out until Validar mentioned that there was a hierophant for them to meet. She looked at this new figure with a sense of dread coursing through her. She didn't know why but she decided that she would have to be polite at the very least, "So do you lead the people in worship? We were discussing religion earlier," When the figure made no move to speak Chloey frowned slightly, then she spoke guardedly, "I'm sorry, have I said something to offend you?"
"The heart still sleeps, but the blood flows through it and the blood is strong," The hierophant said calmly, clearly a woman, the voice was too high to be a man's but then again the figure very well could have been a man based on the shoulders,
"Are you talking to me?" Chloey asked confused, clearly the figure wasn't all there. In fact as far as Chloey was concerned they seemed crazy and were talking in some elaborate bullshit. That or she had yet to actually work out what they were talking about...
"Good hierophant, would you be as kind as to lower your cowl. In Ylisse it is courtesy expected when one is in the presence of royalty," Frederick was the only one that spoke after a few tense moments having noticed Chloey's clear discomfort in the situation and Chrom shifting slightly from foot to foot.
"You are a long way from Ylisse sir," The figure responded a grin appearing on their face underneath the hood of their coat, "But since you asked so kindly, I'll humour you," as the hood came down there was shock across all of the shepherds. The woman underneath the cowl was clearly identical to Chloey, save for the brown eyes, "There is that better," The smile didn't reach her eyes; they were cold and made most of the people present most uncomfortable in the presence of the woman before them. Chloey was the first to actually react and when she did it was both loud and in Plegian of all things,
"WHAT!?" Chloey yelled in shock,
"BY THE GODS!" Chrom yelled equally taken aback by what he was seeing
"What manor of sorcery..." Frederick began but was cut off when Chloey spoke again,
"S-she looks almost like me..." Chloey was shaking with the shock not even coming close to wearing off but she'd switched to using Ylissean thankfully,
"Oh and my name is Chloey. That was your name as well wasn't it?" The woman spoke and Chloey couldn't help but feel slightly sickened by the tone, "What a strange coincidence,"
Chloey didn't hear the rest of the conversation. She swore that she heard Chrom demanding to know the meaning of what was happening, but Aversa had mentioned that the highroads of Plegia were dangerous and they had a trip that needed to be seen to. She said that the Plegians had ships to prepare for the ships that the Ylisseans needed.
The whole trip to find a camp site was a blur to Chloey. She didn't even notice the fact that everyone was looking at her worried. What Chloey did notice was Chrom staying by her side. Herny wasn't too far from her. Everything was a blur and when it was decided that they would rest for the night, Chloey found that she just couldn't sleep.
"It's no use," Chloey said to herself after five hours of trying to rest. "I can't sleep. Who in the world was that woman? Why the fuck does she look like me?" Chloey moaned, then she felt what had to be a presence. She swiftly scanned the area,
"Heed my call!" A voice called out,
"W-who's there!" Chloey responded turning rapidly, looking for something in the darkness of the night, "There's no one...I'm alone..." She felt the tendrils of fear as she desperately hoped she was right and the feeling was just irrational fear,
"Heed my call Chloey," the voice said again, and Chloey felt a sudden sharp burst of pain, so sharp that her eyes were watering,
"Th-this voice...is in my head?! WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU?!" Chloey felt like her head was going to split in two before to long the pain only increasing; the flash of light made it even worse,
"Why do you close your heart to him?" Chloey could barely see through the haze of water in her eyes, the man standing before her was Validar...it had to be,
"V-Validar?" Chloey gasped out through the pain, confusion settling in as she felt the pain increase again,
"Have you truly forgotten?" Validar asked, making Chloey want to vomit from the pain that he was causing her with each hit of his words,
"G-get out of my head!" Chloey managed to yell trembling in pain and fear. After all what was the man doing trying to get inside her head? She had to get him out by any means necessary, whatever it took.
"Heh, such arrogance. You dare take such a tone with your own father?! You have my flesh, and sacred blood runs through your veins, surely you know of your glorious purpose? Deep within your heart it is there! You already know your destiny!"
"NO GET OUT! Chloey screamed trying once again to force the man out, her magic just not strong enough to push him back on her own, she needed help desperately.
"Why do you resist? Your place is at my side not wasting time with the doomed servants of Naga. Give yourself to Grima, let me join your strength to the Fell Dragon!"
"NO!" Chloey cried through the pain giving another hard push of magical energy to force the man out,
"CHLOEY!" Chrom cried running towards her, Chloey felt the pain lessen. The water clearing a bit as the pain faded, though not entirely,
"Humph not this one again! No matter in time you will see the truth," Valida's voice sounded smug, "And that is all it will be a matter of time,"
Chloey groaned in agony as the pain climaxed as she forced even more magical energy to force Validar out of her head once and for all. The pain began to slowly fade away as she felt Chrom by her side and the safety that he bought her. "Chloey are you right? I heard you shouting,"
Chloey fell onto her knees as Chrom wrapped his arms around her, helping her back to her feet,
"I-I think so," Chloey said the pain fading away to the point that she could at least talk, "Yes Chrom, I'm fine,"
"Chloey," Chrom tipped her head gently and his voice softened, "Fine is a poor choice of words...what happened," he kept his voice soft as he could see the shadow of pain in her eyes,
"King Validar spoke to me in my mind..." Chloey winced, "He thinks I'm his daughter,"
"Gods the Hierophant doppleganger...could the two of you be twins?" Chrom wondered holding Chloey close to him,
"I'm sorry Chrom I don't know," Chloey said honestly, "Even if it explains much...well I'm not even sure that I want to know the truth of my own past anymore..."
"I still stand by what I said before Chloey," Chrom murmured gently kissing her forehead and pulling her into his arms, his wife seemed so frail that he had to protect her somehow.
"Thank you Chrom," Chloey said seeming a bit better now, she knew what he meant without him having to say it. She was her own person before she was anyone's daughter and Chrom loved her regardless,
"Can you walk?" Chrom asked,
"I think so," Chloey said testing the theory. Chrom held her arm as she lent on him a bit. She was still shaking but together they made it back towards camp. It was then that Frederick ran up to them,
"Milord! We're under attack! Risen have encircled the camp!"
Lucina should have thought that this would happen. The woman that she was travelling with was strong. Lucina was glad for the extra help but it made her worry that she was interfering with the present time in ways that she shouldn't be. The fact that she was in this time made her wonder about if she was changing anything at all. True her Aunt Emmeryn was still alive, but the woman had no knowledge that she was the Exalt of Ylisse and as far as Lucina knew her father thought her Aunt was dead. This wasn't going to be a good choice of events to physically intervene in events but she had little choice. The former tactician and her grandmother had suggested that a more direct path was best. Lucina however didn't think that she was actually doing the right thing. However she knew that there was a chance that her father and mother were in danger so there was little choice for her.
"Anyone who can fight grab arms!" Chrom yelled, "We're going to have to fight our way out of this!"
Amelia gripped her lance and knew that there was little choice; she COULD fight and she wasn't going to let the others get hurt. She saw Stahl and Sully gather their weapons and made sure that their small daughter was safe. Lissa was rushing about grabbing what she needed for the coming fight. Sumia was looking somewhat frightened and Amelia didn't blame the other Dark Flier. She gripped a killer lance that Chloey had given her and was standing beside her pegasus, "Oh Amelia!" She said surprised to see the small girl carrying a thoron tome, "It's probably best you keep to the back lines alright,"
"But Miss Sumia, I can fight!" The young girl said, casting an eye on her Aunt Tharja as she gripped a dark magic tome. The girl shuddered a little but noticed that her mother was already getting ready for the fight ahead,
"Amelia, Morgan," Chloey began speaking to both of her children, "I need you two to protect your little sister,"
"Yes Mum!" Both of them said,
"Sumia, can you and Frederick keep an eye on them for me please," Chloey looked at her best friend with a worried expression,
"Of course we can," Sumia reassured Chloey, "They will not come to any harm on my watch," and Sumia meant it. She knew how much Chloey would worry if the young ones were on the battle field, even if they like Morgan were old enough to actually fight. Sumia knew that she would feel the same if it were Cynthia. Even so she knew that there was much that needed to be done and there were unspoken words that were exchanged between the pair. Chloey nodded at Sumia,
"You have my gratitude," Chloey smiled and it faded rapidly as she called the others to attention as she prepared for the fight that was ahead, "Henry! Tharja! We need to make a perimeter around the camp! Gather Miriel and Ricken as well as anyone who can use tomes. Chrom and I will spearhead the main focus point as the front line,"
"On it like a hawk to catch a feed of fish sis," Henry said, "Let the destruction begin!" He cheered loudly while Tharja gripped her tome tightly. They were ready to fight to the death for Chloey. Sumia decided that it was best to keep the children together. Little Cynthia wasn't too happy but she was doubtless picking up on the stress of the adults around her. Frederick arrived in time to see little Lucina start crying for her "Mummy" and "Daddy" respectively,
"All will be well," Frederick reassured the small princess as she cried.
The other Lucina on the other hand was doing what she could to reach the shepherds. As it turned out the woman that was her grandmother was actually almost as good as Lucina's mother...perhaps even more so to a point. However it was clear that for all the skill that the Valkyrie had she was far better off with a healing staff and a tome. Lucina found herself in a lot deeper than she wanted to be. She ducked the strikes of risen and countered as best as she could but even so...her strength wasn't enough to make a dint in the numbers. Her Aunt Emmeryn was tucked behind Chloey's mother, providing assistance where she could, stammering as she provided magical support in a way that Lucina didn't think possible. Even so they had a fight on their hands. Lucina could see from where they were fighting that her father and mother were teamed up leading the shepherds into the fight of their lives just about. She could see that they had grown both in the number of members and in the sheer strength over all. They weren't too far off the shepherds that Lucina remembered and seeing her mother make neat strikes out with her dark magic was a sight and a half. Lucina noticed that her father did his best to support the woman leading the charge who on occasion switched with him allowing him to make full use of javelins and a long bow to take out the more troublesome enemies. She wasn't surprised that they finished off most of the risen. It was however just as Lucina's mother moved to talk to her father that trouble happened. Before the Valkyrie could stop her Lucina had run forward and she screamed.
"FATHER NO!"
In that moment two things had happened. Chloey knowing the voice had felt fear hit her as she watched the future version of her two year old child run forward to protect Chrom. The second thing was that Lucina had saved her father's life.
After a few minutes in which Chrom had spoken with Lucina alone Chloey came over to see that Lucina had been crying, "I take it I can say what I know now," Chloey said gently,
Chrom stiffened and looked at Chloey in shock, "You knew?" He said,
"Yes, I did," Chloey said, "But I promised Lucina I wouldn't say anything,"
Chrom looked at his wife and felt a sigh of course she would have to not tell him. However the feeling of having Lucina with them was more than enough for them. They had their daughter and Chrom knew that with her help they would put a stop to Grima's plan. However that was not the only shock that came to pass. A Valkyrie arrived and she came with a familiar figure that made Chrom's shock just that bit more powerful.